I woke up to the sound of birds chirping. The warm rays of the sun shining through the leaves embrace me as I open my eyes. I look around and find myself surrounded by nature. It takes me a moment to remember why I am sleeping in the open air. I lazily stretch my arms. To my discomfort, my body still feels sore.
I move around to test if there is something wrong with me. Moving is still somewhat unpleasant but this is nothing compared to yesterday. Breathing doesn’t hurt. My head doesn’t hurt. Standing doesn’t hurt. In fact, I feel oddly revitalized.
Level 2 Hit Points 7/16 Stamina 7/20 Mana Points 11/32
STRENGTH: 10
INTELLIGENCE: 16
DEXTERITY: 11
SPEED: 20
CHARISMA: 2
“Yes! I was right!!” Dinner and a good night of sleep really did improve my HP and stamina.
“I bet all I need to do is rest and I will keep recovering!” It may not be the most efficient way to recover but it is still the only thing I can do right now.
“If I keep my body healthy I will feel better in no time…” The fact that it took me this long to realize it starts downing on me.
“I must not be as smart as I think I am if this is the best I can do…”
To distract my mind from that sudden realization I start worrying over breakfast instead. The position of the sun seems to suggest it is lunchtime already but I don’t care. I just woke up. This is going to be my breakfast. “Breakfast is still breakfast no matter the hour”
Some embers still glow red in the pile of ashes that was last night’s campfire. It looks like the fire went out just a few hours ago. Brushing aside some of the charcoal I find the leftovers of yesterday’s dinner. It seems leaving the hare next to the fire continued cooking it overnight. Most of it has turned completely black. Its fur burned in its entirety and its tusks broke because of the heat. With some trouble I remove the burnt parts and start eating. It is cold. Part of me wants to restart the fire and reheat it but going through all that trouble just for this makes no sense. It also tastes awful. It did not taste any better when it was warm but it tastes a different kind of awful now.
Having finished my meal, I leave the improvised campfire behind. The bushes and trees all around me make it very hard to walk in a straight line. Moving is easier now but I don’t want to tire myself out walking with no direction. I need a goal. I never really considered how easy it would be to get lost in a forest like this one. Taking into account that I have no idea where I am going it is probably safe to say I am already lost. There is nothing I can use as a landmark around me. I don’t even know enough about this world’s geography for a landmark to be of any use to me.
“I know! I should try finding that river again. If I follow the river I should be able to return to the village” Sure, going back to the village could be dangerous but staying here for too long would be equally dangerous. Wandering aimlessly in this forest would be dumb. I am in no state to fight monsters. I am too weak. My odds of survival would be higher the closer to civilization I am. I got lucky no wild animal attacked me while I was down. I need a safe place to recover. The village is that place. I may be a wanted criminal after what happened yesterday but at the very least I doubt any guard would kill me in my sleep.
I look around me. I have no idea what direction I came from. I have no idea what direction I should go. Finding that river won’t be easy. My eyes cannot see it through the dense foliage. My ears cannot hear it among the singing of the birds and the rustling of the leaves. There is nothing as convenient as a map or a quest marker on my hud.
After some consideration I decide to try climbing a tree. My short stature is not fit to scan my surroundings. Climbing to a vintage point should give me a better view of my surroundings.
I walk until I find a tree tall enough to rise above the treetops and twisted enough to be safe to climb. This thick tree in front of me would be the perfect playground for any kid. As I admire its shape I plan my route up its many branches. The more I look at it the more I start feeling increasingly anxious. The trunk is so crooked even I should be able to climb it easily. Even a child could do it. Yet, I am starting to think I won’t be able to do it. I was never the athletic type. Running around in parks and climbing trees may be normal pastimes for kids but it is something I never did in my youth.
My first attempt failed as soon as I placed my hands on the tree. With a sharp pain I remembered that I cut my palms trying to make yesterday’s fire. I need to clean my hands quick or these will get infected. Does this world even has diseases?
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
My second attempt failed as soon as I tried to put my foot on a branch. I feel on my butt. Cursing loudly I remembered why I never tried to do this as a kid. There is nothing fun about this.
My third attempt stopped as soon as I made it halfway through. I looked down. Seeing how tall I was I found myself unable to keep climbing. With tears in my eyes I slowly climbed down.
My fourth attempt was a successful one. After having calmed down I realized how dumb I was for giving up halfway through. This time I kept my eyes on the branches above me and kept going until I reached the top. With a fast beating heart I looked at my surroundings.
The view caught me totally off guard. The golden sea of leaves extending in all directions. The winding river carving a path among the trees. The small slope of the forest rising into an enormous mountain range in the distance. I only went up a few meters. It was hard to believe the world could look this different from here. Mesmerized by the view, I lost track of how long I spent up there.
Getting down the tree was an ordeal at first but a branch breaking halfway through accelerated the process. As I walked towards the river my bored mind kept worrying over my current situation.
“what am I going to now?” Getting to the village is not enough to ensure my safety. I need shelter. I need food. Even if eating and sleeping are the solution to all my problems, I still have the guards to worry about. I need a place to hide. I need a source of food. My failure to get a job this past couple of days means money is not something I can count on. The half empty coinbag on my backpack may as well be worthless. I don’t have enough money to buy a meal or get a room.
After some thinking I reach the conclusion that shelter is not really a priority. Nights may be cold and alleys may be dangerous but it is not like I need a bed to sleep. I was overwhelmed by it at first but I could probably sleep in the street if I put my mind into it. What positive thinking won’t fix is my empty belly. I need to eat everyday if I want to get better. I may not have enough money for food but the forest itself should have enough stuff in it to keep me well fed. Hiding in the streets during the night and exploring the forest for food during the day could be the way to go. Hunting is hard but yesterday’s success proves that it is doable. If I manage to keep it up for a few more days my stamina should recover. My HP and MP may fill up as well. The problem now is what to eat.
Big prey would be ideal. I could get lots of meat in one go and not have to worry about hunting everyday. That being said, as I am now I doubt I would be able to kill something big. I simply lack the strength to do it. I also have no idea how to cook a big animal.
Small prey could work. The problem is that it is hard to catch. Small animals are good at hiding. Just finding one could be very hard. They are also very fast. I cannot waste my stamina running around trying to catch something that has very little meat in it. I also have no idea how to cook a small animal.
Plants and mushrooms don’t need to be cooked and they grow all around me. Sadly, trying to eat them is probably not a good idea. I know nothing about plants. I knew nothing about the plants of my world and I know even less about the plants in this world. I cannot risk eating something poisonous and getting sick. “Are there doctors in this world? There has to be, right? Maybe they use healing magic” I could steal that. I cannot afford a doctor anyway. Having the power to heal myself would be really useful. I should really look into that.
I could also try eating fruit. Fruit is easy to find, safe to eat and does not require any cooking. It is almost perfect for someone like me. Looking around I quickly realize that is not an option. The dry, yellow leaves remind me that it is autumn right now, there is probably no fruit lying around.
“Wait! The river! Fish!” Fish should be easy to catch. Fish can’t run away. Fish can’t fight back. Sure, I may have never fished in my life but how hard could it be. It is just sitting around waiting for something to take the bait, right? I can do that. Cooking it should also be easy. People eat fish all the time when they go camping. Some people even eat it raw. Fish must be really easy to prepare, right?
With a general idea of where I was going, finding the river only took me a couple of hours.
The first thing I did was dip my mouth into the water and start drinking. I did not realize how thirsty I was until I saw the clear, flowing waters of this small stream. This must be a different section from the one I saw from the tree. It doesn’t matter. I can still use it to find my way back to the village as long as it is the same one.
Having quenched my thirst, next I washed my hands. The cuts started to sting as soon as I dip them in water. I really wish I had some kind of soap or disinfectant to clean them.
“Now, I should get ready to start fishing” standing in front of the river, my unfounded optimism is forced to confront reality. I have no idea how to fish. I am vaguely aware of the equipment I need and what should I do but that is not enough to actually start fishing.
I know a need a rod but I have no idea how to make one. I know I need a line but I have no idea how to make one. I know I need a hook but I have no idea how to make one. I know I need bait but have no idea what to use. Do worms even exist in this world? I try making a simple spear by cutting some branches but even then no fish swims by this stream. Trying to fish ends up being a complete failure.
In frustration I grab a rock and toss it into the river. Seeing it magnificently bounce off the water and make it all the way to the other side only makes me feel more frustrated.
Having given up on catching fish, I start working on a fire instead. Even with nothing to cook the warmth and protection the fire provides cannot be overestimated. It was probably what kept the dangers of the night away while I was sleep. I imagine the grass and branches near the river would be wet so I decide to move a few meters into the forest and set camp there. Before the last bit of sunlight disappears into the horizon I manage to lit a fire using my rock and dagger method. This time I knew what I was doing. It was a little bit easier than yesterday.
Once again as soon as the sun sets the temperature drops and all the noises of the forest stop. All I can do now is stare at the flames. The darkness of the night and the warmth of the fire invite me to relax. With a big yawn I get lost in the dancing figures created by the light and the crackling of the burning logs. My eyelids start closing on their own.
I fall sleep tucked in my cloak.